With the book of Origins firmly in his possession, the villainous Astaroth now has the power to reshape history at will. Plucking pivotal discoveries from mankindís past, he has reduced the world to a pre-industrial nightmare. But while most humans toil as slaves within four demonic kingdoms, Astaroth allows those at Rowan to thrive in peaceful isolation. Theirs is a land where magic and nature flourish . . . so long as none dare oppose the new order.

That proves too steep a price for Max McDaniels. Unsure of his place at Rowan and reeling from tragedy, Max sets out to explore the shifting landscape of a world that has been changed beyond recognition. In the course of his travels, he will be forced to become many things: Prisoner. Gladiator. Assassin. But can he become the hero that mankind so desperately needs?